Safari is often and best experienced as a combination of elements, an equation of ‘safari and…’ bush and beach; Botswana and Victoria Falls; Kruger, Cape Town and the Winelands. If you’re coming this far, you should experience as much as you can. In this special article celebrating our 20th anniversary, we’ve compiled a list of new reasons to go on safari and exciting ways to extend your trip that we’ll be talking about for the next two decades.
The Stars Are Closer
Africa's Incredible Star-beds
With only a mosquito net between you and the infinite Milky Way, drift off to the sounds of chortling hippos, giggling hyenas and the distant calls of lion. A ‘star-bed’ is exactly what the name suggests: a comfortable, open-air bed out in the wilderness. Some are simply made in romantically candle-lit riverbeds, while others are cradled in rustic ‘bird’s nest’ style platforms above the treeline. Some are even featured in luxurious tree houses equipped with en suite bathrooms and running water. Head to the private reserves in Botswana, South Africa and Kenya for an unforgettable night in the wild, or the Makgadikgadi Pans and Namibia for out of this world star-gazing.
See Our Favourites
Jabali Ridge, Tanzania
Roho ya Selous, Tanzania
Camel trek at Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya
The villas on Frégate
Cast away to MedjumbeYour Personal Paradise
Frégate Island Private, Seychelles
With picture-perfect beaches on the Indian Ocean’s azure waters, the Seychelles is an ideal bush-to-beach ending. But if you opt for the extra helicopter or boat ride beyond the obvious choices like Praslin and Mahé, you can discover hidden jewels like the unique Frégate Island Private. A conservation sanctuary for marine creatures, Frégate offers visitors the ultimate in luxury and seclusion; a handful of sensational villas; an estate only for groups; seven beaches (widely known as some of the world’s best); and a private harbour and yacht club.
Find Your IslandYour Personal Paradise
Medjumbe Private Island, Mozambique
Journey to Mozambique's Medjumbe Private Island in the magnificent Quirimbas Archipelago (the lesser-known sister to the Bazaruto Archipelago), one of the most untouched in the Indian Ocean. This isolated paradise of powder-soft sand, golden sunsets, Crusoe-chic beach villas and world-class diving can only be enjoyed by a maximum of 24 guests at just one resort – expect unrivalled intimacy and noiseless beauty.
See the QuirimbasEverything but the Tiny Planes
Safari by Rail
Recapture the romance of travel in the world’s most luxurious train line, Rovos Rail, complete with wood-panelled cars, formal dinners and 5-star cuisine. Embark on the acclaimed 15-day journey across five countries from Cape Town, South Africa to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Stop along the way to track the Big 5, witness Victoria Falls, and safari in the remote and wild Selous – one of our best-kept secrets. July 2019 will mark the debut of the Trail of Two Oceans, an extraordinary transcontinental adventure from Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean to Lobito in Angola on the Atlantic – complete with a fly-in safari to Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.
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Miavana Island Sanctuary
Nosy Be, Madagascar
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
Isalo National Park
Avenue of the Baobabs
The Overberg's Elim village
Cape Agulhas Lighthouse
The Cederberg MountainsWinelands Only Locals Know
The Best You’ve Never Heard Of
Wine is as unique as the location where its grapes are grown. In essence, that’s what makes the big wine regions of the world famous. The acclaimed Cape Winelands in South Africa are well-known for award-winning varietals, luxury accommodation and gorgeous scenery. But according to local sommeliers, a handful of vintners outside the ever-popular Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine valleys are garnering international attention by throwing out the viticulture textbooks and pushing the boundaries of winemaking.
Discover These GemsWinelands Only Locals Know
The Coast: Overberg and Cape Agulhas
Upstarts in the Overberg region’s Greyton area are producing award-winning Syrah, Pinot noir, and Chardonnay in a cool climate by allowing the grapes to ripen on the vines longer. Less than two hours from Cape Town at the base of sandstone mountains, Greyton is a popular getaway for locals. Andy Mitchell Wines – a family-run, garagiste wine cellar – produces high-quality wines in small quantities. Next door in Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, the area’s extreme cool ocean winds are perfect for ripening sensational Semillon and Shiraz, and creating award-winning Sauvignon blanc from wineries like Strandveld and Land’s End.
Winelands Only Locals Know
The Mountains: Cederberg
Head inland through the increasingly popular Swartland wine region until you hit the picturesque Cederberg Mountains, the indigenous home of rooibos tea. Another favourite getaway spot for locals, this region is home to some of South Africa’s most remote and highest-altitude vineyards. Known for Cabernet, Syrah, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Chenin, the Cederberg is one of very few mountain ranges in the Western Cape that sees snowfall, which encourages the vines to ‘shut down’ in aid of a healthy life cycle. Head to the Cederberg Private Cellar to taste some of David Nieuwoudt’s fabulous Chenin blanc – one of South Africa’s best unique varietals.
Shumba Camp, Zambia
Hoanib Valley Camp, Namibia
Duba Plains Camp, Botswana
Faru Faru River Lodge, Tanzania
View at the Four Seasons
Sustainable cuts at The Braai Room
Marble restaurantAn Emerging Food Capital
Johannesburg, South Africa
Cape Town is widely hailed as Africa’s gourmet superstar. But there’s a younger, hipper upstart hot on its heels: Johannesburg. Joburg – or ‘Jozi’ – is the flashy New York to Cape Town’s laid-back California and the food scene is modern, exciting, and growing. Since you’re likely to fly via Johannesburg – Africa’s busiest airport and wealthiest city – for a Southern Africa safari, make the most of it with some fantastic meals.
See Our Short ListAn Emerging Food Capital
African Cuisine
You’re in Africa, so go African! Local cuisine is a combination of classics like peri-peri (a spicy mix made from African bird’s eye chillies), pap or phutu (a kind of polenta) and game meat like springbok or even crocodile. Head to the vibrant districts of Soweto, Maboneng or Newtown for cold beer, a hearty meal and a lively atmosphere. The sine qua non of African food is, of course, the braai (pronounced ‘bry’) – this is all about grilling meat on open flames – no wieners, no patties, no gas. Sample boerewors or ‘wors’ (pronounced ‘vorce’), a thick sausage that is a South African staple and served with caramelised onions or chakalaka, a spicy salsa. We suggest a gourmet braai at The Braai Room in Sandton.
An Emerging Food Capital
Fine Dining
For a more refined experience, choose one of Johannesburg’s best restaurants and, with the favourable exchange rate, you can go all out. Some are connected to top hotels like The Saxon (where former president Nelson Mandela wrote his best-selling autobiography <i>Long Walk to Freedom</i>) or the Four Seasons Westcliff (which has some of the city’s best views) while others are further afield. Favourites include DW Eleven-13 (modern South African), Marble (cooking over fire), Qunu (classic grill) and Winehouse at Ten Bompas (Europe meets Asia).
Chikoko Trails Camp, Zambia
Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp, Botswana
Singita’s Community Culinary School, KrugerEach Trip Makes a Difference
Low-footprint
The new buzzword in travel is 'purpose' through the marriage of hospitality and conservation. And while ‘green’ policies and technologies continue to gain steam, safari has long led the way in conscious tourism. In Zambia’s beautiful South Luangwa National Park, you can ditch the game-drive vehicle for specialist guides who walk you from camp to camp through big game territory. Many lodges here are made completely of thatch every year by local artisans using traditional methods and materials. When the rainy season comes in November, they biodegrade back into Mother Earth, to be rebuilt in time for the June dry season. Try an itinerary with lodges like Tena Tena, Mwaleshi or Chikoko.
Walk in LuangwaEach Trip Makes a Difference
Sustainability
While governments and consumers are just beginning to consider life after plastic, Rwanda led the way, banning plastic bags way back in 2006 with Kenya following suit in 2017 and Botswana doing the same in 2018. Many lodges across Africa now offer water filtered onsite and provide reusable water bottles and bamboo straws on the path to zero plastic waste. Even more have begun incorporating solar power, including Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp – the first to use Tesla powerpacks to generate 80% renewable energy. One of the original pioneers in sustainability, Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania, grows 90% of the food it serves on its grounds while 100% of its waste is reused, recycled, or disposed of consciously onsite.
Explore Xaranna CampEach Trip Makes a Difference
Conservation and Community
Most, if not all, African safari companies have initiatives to help protect the continent’s precious wildlife from supporting anti-poaching units and conservation organisations like Rhinos and Oceans Without Borders to various animal ‘adoption’ opportunities. They also invest in local communities living around reserves and concessions through school programmes and countless employment opportunities. At Singita’s Community Culinary School at Lebombo Lodge – with its brand-new training kitchen that produces 10 expertly-trained commis chefs from the area each year – you can take cooking classes or even sponsor a student. Investing in a safari is a uniquely sound investment in Africa’s future.
Lodges That Give Back
Port Nolloth, South Africa
Wolf’s Fang runway, Antarctica